Vertical RFID Antenna Timing for Race Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic timing systems for endurance races are cumbersome, require extensive setup, and can introduce errors due to the need for horizontal antenna strips across the racecourse, which are not ADA compliant and can interfere with disabled athletes, and lack redundancy to ensure accurate timing.
Innovation Solution
A portable, all-weather electronic timing system utilizing vertically oriented RFID antennas and a remote server, allowing for quick setup and redundancy by positioning antennas on tripods alongside the racecourse, eliminating the need for horizontal strips and ensuring accurate timing without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If horizontal antenna strips are placed across the racecourse for timing, then timing coverage is achieved, but accessibility for disabled athletes is compromised and setup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal antenna placement (2D ground-level coverage) to vertical antenna placement (3D aerial coverage). By positioning antennas on tripods along the side of the racecourse rather than embedding them in the ground across the course, the system achieves timing coverage without blocking the race path, thereby improving accessibility while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If horizontal antenna strips are placed across the racecourse, then timing data can be captured, but the system lacks redundancy and can interfere with disabled athletes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the timing system into multiple independent vertical antenna units positioned at different locations along the racecourse rather than using a single continuous horizontal strip. Each vertical antenna on a tripod operates as an independent unit, providing redundant coverage. If one antenna fails or is blocked, other antennas can still capture timing data, improving system reliability while eliminating interference with disabled athletes.
3Ease of operation
If vertical antennas are positioned on tripods alongside the racecourse, then accessibility is improved and setup is simplified, but timing coverage area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the reduced horizontal coverage area by extending coverage in the vertical dimension. By positioning antennas at elevated heights on tripods, the system creates a three-dimensional coverage zone that reaches across the racecourse horizontally while maintaining vertical separation. This aerial positioning allows multiple antennas to cover the same horizontal area without interfering with each other, effectively expanding the total coverage area despite the simplified ground-level setup.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate, efficient, and redundant timing data capture, improving logistics and accessibility for all athletes while minimizing setup time and avoiding errors, ensuring precise timing without additional delays or interference.
Implementation Method 1
a vertically oriented radio-frequency identification reader assembly, a portable timing controller, a remote server, and a radio-frequency identification timing tag
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic timing system for timing of athletic events is provided. The timing system includes one or more vertically oriented radio-frequency identification reader assembly, a portable timing controller, a remote server, and a radio-frequency identification timing tag that is configured for attachment to an athlete. The vertically oriented radio-frequency identification reader includes an antenna assembly, a water-resistant radome surrounding the antenna assembly, and a tripod supporting the radome and antenna assembly. The portable timing controller includes one or more input/output devices, such as Ethernet or USB ports, for exchanging data with the radio-frequency identification antenna. The remote server also includes similar input/output devices for exchanging data with the input/output devices of the portable timing controller. The timing tag and antenna are configured for wirelessly communicating data between one another.